Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics www.nonlin-processes-geophys.net 1023-5809 1607-7946 10 6 2003 10.5194/npg-10-525-2003 http://www.nonlin-processes-geophys.net/10/525/2003/ http://www.nonlin-processes-geophys.net/10/525/2003/npg-10-525-2003.html http://www.nonlin-processes-geophys.net/10/525/2003/npg-10-525-2003.pdf 525 529 0000-00-00 A deterministic width function model C. E. Puente B. Sivakumar Department of Land, Air & Water Resources, University of California, Davis, USA Use of a deterministic fractal-multifractal (FM) geometric method to model width functions of natural river networks, as derived distributions of simple multifractal measures via fractal interpolating functions, is reported. It is first demonstrated that the FM procedure may be used to simulate natural width functions, preserving their most relevant features like their overall shape and texture and their observed power-law scaling on their power spectra. It is then shown, via two natural river networks (Racoon and Brushy creeks in the United States), that the FM approach may also be used to closely approximate existing width functions.